Meg: Tell us a little about your background and how you came to be a Kingfisher Calendar model.

Saiyami: I was born and brought up in Nasik and shifted to Bombay 5 years ago for college. I studied at St. Xaviers college (Mumbai). Both my parents were models, my mother was a Miss India and they both did over a 100 ads. I thought of giving it a shot when I was in college and really enjoyed the process. Atul Kasbekar was very impressed with my photographs and he signed me up with his agency. There’s been no looking back from there, I did ads for Mahindra Rodeo, Pantaloons, L’Oreal, Levis and lots more over the past 2 years. He asked me to do the Kingfisher calendar last year, but I wanted to wait until I got done with college and also I felt this would be a great year because it is the 10th edition so it makes it even more special. The Kingfisher calendar was a fab experience!

What is your number one beauty secret?
Happiness! If you are happy inside it automatically shows on your skin, I have experienced it!

What are some of your top fashion tips for women who are tall?
I feel women who are tall are absolutely stunning! My only tip is to be confident and not conscious about your height. You are blessed with good height– flaunt it. You stand tall; you stand out from the crowd!

Tell us about your skincare regimen– what products do you use for glowing skin?
I drink a lot of water through the day which is essential for glowing skin. Besides that I moisturize my skin at all times. I use a sun block by Avene without which I don’t step out of my room and use Vichy’s under eye cream before I sleep. It’s very important that every little trace of makeup is wiped out when it’s not required. I feel if one even does just these basics it makes your skin flawless and the sun block and under eye cream is a precautionary measure for the future.

How do you treat and take care of your hair?
I have extremely curly hair. I normally like to keep it tied to protect it from the sun and pollution but I use a range of L’Oreal products which I am very happy with and I do a Kerastase hair treatment very often which just makes my hair so soft and beautiful.

Everyone always wonders– do models get stretch marks and cellulite like the rest of us? If so, what do you do to treat it?
As models we face problems like anyone else. Almond oil mixed with haldi (turmeric powder) really helps lighten stretch marks and make your overall skin look wonderful. This was something I did everyday before the Kingfisher calendar and I could see the results!

What foods does your diet regimen include?
Every morning I start my day with a liter of water and a fruit and eat 4 egg whites after my workout. A normal lunch with 2 rotis and vegetable and soup and salad for dinner. I love eating fruits and keep eating them all day. I am a chocolate lover so I do treat myself to chocolate every so often.

Modelling is no cakewalk. The lifestyle can include late nights and long work days. How do you stay fresh despite the difficult hours?
Sometimes I shoot and get hardly 1-2 hours of sleep with all the erratic schedules and traveling. My secret to it is I catch up on sleep anytime and anywhere I get a chance. So if the hair stylist is doing my hair, I sleep; when they are setting up, I doze off. These power naps really help!

Lastly, what is your exercise regimen like? What exercises do you enjoy best?
I am a fitness freak, have always been one. I played badminton and cricket for Maharashtra. I was called for the Indian women’s national cricket team selection but didn’t go for the tryout because modeling wouldn’t have been possible then. Even now I play a lot of sports. I prefer a sport or a run much more than going to the gym. So if I am not shooting you will see me running around Bandra between 5-8. 🙂

Thanks, Saiyami!

Saiyami Kher featured in the 2012 Kingfisher Calendar, shot by Atul Kasbekar